WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to host Iraq’s leader this week for talks that come as tensions across the Middle East have soared over the war in Gaza and Iran’s unprecedented weekend attack on Israel in retaliation for an Israeli military strike against an Iranian facility in Syria.
The sharp rise in security fears has raised further questions about the viability of the two-decade American military presence in Iraq, through which portions of Iran’s Saturday drone and missile attack on Israel flew or were launched from. A U.S. Patriot battery in Irbil, Iraq, knocked down at least one Iranian ballistic missile, according to American officials.
In addition, Iranian proxies have initiated attacks against U.S. interests throughout the region from inside Iraq, making Monday’s meeting between Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani all the more critical. The talks will include a discussion of regional stability and future U.S. troop deployments but will also focus on economic, trade and energy issues that have become a major priority for Iraq’s government, according to U.S. officials.
Scenery of Shigu Town, located by huge bend of Jinsha River in SW China
A munitions explosion at a Cambodian army base kills 20 soldiers, but its cause is unclear
Wang Xinyu saves 10 match points in Madrid thriller
After officer warns campaigner for being 'openly Jewish'... Met Police are so cowed by the anti
10 spotted seals released into ocean off northeast China city
Let's draft two! Jaguars double up on LSU stars by selecting WR Thomas Jr. and DT Smith early
Rewind. Fast forward. African farmers are looking everywhere to navigate climate change
Marchand breaks team playoff goals mark, Bruins beat Maple Leafs 3
D23 Expo reveals new details of Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia
The nine California towns where you can still snap up a home for $150,000
A Florida sheriff says 10 people were wounded by gunfire after a fight broke out at a party venue
The Titans add size, speed as they use 5 of 7 NFL draft picks to boost their defense